Osun Defender Online Version Of February 23, 2024

Rainstorm Wreaks Havoc In Iwo, Iwoye

NO fewer than 130 buildings were destroyed by rainstorm that accompanied the first rain of the year 2024 in Iwo, Iwo local government and Iwoye in Egbedore local government of Osun State.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the rain which started around 6pm on Tuesday, February 13 rendered many people homeless in Iwo and Iwoye as their buildings were damaged by the windstorm.

A total of eight classrooms at St. Mary’s Grammar School Iwo, the Principal’s office and four classrooms of a building at Government Technical College, Iwo, were destroyed by the rainstorm.

The rainstorm also damaged a storey building of eight classrooms at the School for Islamic Propaga on, at Orita Oluyena, Ile-Akede, Iwo.

Also, the Oluwo Central Mosque, Iwo Customary Court and Islaudeen Akewu Kawe mosque were also destroyed.

Iwo was thrown into darkness as there was a blackout in the en re town for four days as a result of the incident.

It was gathered that the Ibadan Electricity Distribu on Company (IBEDC) had a hec c me fixing some of the electricity poles and wires damaged by the rainstorm.

One of the vic ms of the rainstorm, Mr. Azeez Ibrahim, stated that a windstorm preceded the rain which started around 7pm on Tuesday.

He said: “We were inside our house when the windstorm started. The windstorm preceded the rain which started around 7pm. The windstorm blew off our room by half. It was an unfortunate incident; but we thank God for the safety of our lives.

“We have been managing to live in the same building since there is no other place for us to go and there is no financial capacity to fix the building now.

“Our baba, Oluwo has visited us and we are looking forward for support from every quarter.”

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, during an inspec on to evaluate the extent of damage inflicted upon public and private proper es in his town, assured the vic ms of his commitment to get government interven on and assistance.

Oba Akanbi called on the Federal and State

•Destroys Over 130 Buildings

Government to provide aid to the affected vicms.

Oluwo, in a statement released by his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, said: “I commiserate with my people who had their

proper es damaged by the rainstorm heralding new season. I’m worried about the monumental destruc on of the public and private proper es in Iwo.

“I appeal to the Na-

onal Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their interven on. About forty concrete electric poles were broken. St. Mary Grammar School, Iwo had the roofs of 10 classrooms removed,

Oluwo Central Mosque roof and Iwo Customary Court roofs were also affected. Hundreds were rendered homeless, shops and goods inside were destroyed.

“For three days ago

CDHR Accuses Adeleke Of Unwillingness To Implement Teachers’ Elongation Policy

THE Commi ee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) in Osun State has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of his unwillingness to fully implement the teachers’ elonga on policy which had been domes cated in the state.

According to the CDHR, the state government has wasted a sum of N837m within 20 months of the domes ca on of the policy which guidelines were yet to be fully implemented.

The human rights group claimed that most of the beneficiaries of the policy in the state were not medically fit and did not return to the classroom to teach as required by the policy guideline.

Addressing a press conference at the secretariat of the organisa on in Osogbo yesterday, the Chairman of the CDHR in the state, Comr. Emmanuel Olowu, disclosed that a total of 145 level 16 secondary school teachers and 105 primary school teachers have so far benefi ed from the policy.

Olowu noted that the unreadiness of Adeleke’s administra on to follow the eligibility requirement as contained in the guideline of the teachers’

elonga on policy was impeding career progression of some teachers, wasting intellectual capacity of fresh graduates and impeding the student’s academic performance.

He explained that “the simple interpreta on of the policy is that if you are to be a beneficiary, you are to return to the classroom as a teacher and not as a Principal, Vice Principal, Headmaster or Headmistress and you have to be medically fit.”

The human rights ac vist said: “We of the Commi ee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) are here to express our deep concern over the apparent lack of poli cal will by the Osun State Government under the leadership of Sen. Ademola Adeleke to fully implement and enforce the teacher’s elongaon policy, while we also like to inform the world of the laxity of the office of the Head of Service through which the policy was formed.

“Our organiza on took up the struggle to demand full implementa on of the policy guidelines of the teacher’s elonga on policy as a result of the poor academic performance of the students in the State, which one of the reasons is inadequate subject teach-

ers in our public schools, most especially school in the rural areas.

“We would like the press to note today that most of the beneficiaries are not medically fit and they do not return to the classroom as teachers which is against policy guideline C under Eligibility and E under procedure.

“We hereby call on all lovers of educa on to save educa on in the state by simply calling on the state Governor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, to be decisive on the policy by ensuring that the policy is strictly implemented.

‘We warn some tradional rulers in the state who have been assuring the beneficiaries and the Teachers Union’s that the policy will not be fully implemented to stop such act because student in their domains are also vic ms of poor educa on policy.”

The CDHR Chairman also called on Adeleke to increase the number of teachers to be recruited to 8000 in line with the shortage of teaching personnel in the public schools.

He said: “Besides, the recent decision of the state government to employ an addi onal 5000 teachers raises eyebrows. The recruitment of the 5000 teachers falls short of the reported shortage

when the incident happened, there is no electricity light in Iwo. We have been experiencing a blackout. This is a crical moment in the lives of the people of Iwo. The federal and state governments should come to our aid. Many shop owners running their businesses with loans are groaning. NEMA should please console us.”

“I pray such will not happen in Iwo again. We thank God no casualty was recorded.”

The General Overseer of school for Propaga on of Islamic Truth at Orita Oluyena, Ile Akede, Iwo, Khalifa Ismail Ajibọpẹ, explained that the windstorm pulled down the front part of a storey building of eight classrooms and blew off the roof of other part.

Ajibope called on well meaning individuals to come to the aid of vic ms of the windstorm, sta ng that the burden was much for them to bear.

Other areas where buildings were destroyed by the windstorms in Iwo are: Idiagbede, Ilé JagunỌdẹ, Jayeola, Eesu, and Agbojagun, among others.

of all subject teachers in our public schools as reported by the Osun 2023 Educa on Summit which highlighted that 84.5% schools in Osun State currently lack teachers for all subjects.

“Osun State government should increase teachers’ recruitment to 8000, considering the report of the Osun 2023 educa on Summit.”

Reac ng to the CDHR’s claim, the state Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Fatade Olatoke, in a telephone interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said the new re rement age guidelines does not s pulate that beneficiaries must go back to the class.

Olatoke noted that it is not possible for a school principal to return as a class teacher a er many years in service.

He said: “I don’t understand where CDHR has go en their posi on. How is it possible for a school principal to return as a teacher? What if such person wants to re re, he/she will re re as what?

“There’s no one that pray for career retrogression. CDHR should kindly come out and show us where they see that in the guidelines.”

In Iwoye, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that about 30 buildings and electricity poles were damaged by the windstorm.

A resident of the community, Pastor Aderibigbe Olukayode, stated that the windstorm which started at evening me le the town in sorrow, saying many people have been rendered homeless.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Emergency Management, Hon. Emiola Fakeye, led a team of government delega on to Iwo and Iwoye on a sympathy visit to vic ms of the windstorm on Tuesday.

Fakeye who was accompanied by a team from the Osun State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA), conducted an on-the-spot verifica on and assessment exercise to gauge the extent of the damages caused by the windstorm in the communi es.

She prayed against the recurrence of such disaster in the area and across Osun State, urging the affected individuals to submit pictures of the damaged proper es along with their requests to OSEMA for prompt relief gesture.

The General Manager of OSEMA, Mr. Jide Falade, acknowledged the inevitability of natural disasters, just as he emphasized the importance of vigilance and mely repairs to migate their impact.

Ismaeel Uthman

Yusuf Oketola

•A joint team from the Osun State Ministry of Health, The Challenge Initiative and the Development Communications Network with the management and staff of Moremi Publishing House Limited after a courtesy call, on Monday

Photo: Shola Aderinto

OUR cover story last week vividly portrays a season of discontent.

Like the unified response to the “Austerity Measures” of 1962, the absence of a unified na onal response to the current crisis is disturbing. More is needed to find cohesion in a na onal response to the crisis.

The contradic ons are clear. The All Progressives Congress came in with a commitment to build a “Social Market Economy”, on the contrary, what we see now looks like a Structural Adjustment Program Part 2 with the Washington Consensus calling the short. A social market is based on macroeconomic stability as the foundaon for shared prosperity and sustainable development. This is a preferable route and the

FROM THE SOCIAL MEDIA

ECONOMIC policies should always be people focused, to promote their well-being, security and economic status. Any policy you made that makes people poorer, hungrier, angrier, job loses, and more insecure is bes al without human sensibility. Such policies should be discarded forthwith even if they are with good inten ons.

Anyway, no policy with good inten ons will make people commit suicide, that will make students drop out of school, shops to close down, children ge ng famished, husbands absconded

government should go back to its original manifesto commitment which was based on the Social Market Modem. The IMF inspired a ached on the social responsibility of the states is a cause for alarm.

‘Shrinkflation’ At A Time Of Discontent Professor Adeoye Lambo was Right

from home, wives forced to sell their bodies and children, prices of goods and foods in the market start to fly uncontrollably. Women, men and youths start to protest with hanger and raining curses on the policy makers for unleashing hardship on them while the policy makers live extravagant life of opulence with “I don’t care, ci zens should go to hell” arrogant a tude.

It’s a symptom of insensi vity, crude arrogance, hangover or insanity (or all) for any leader to insist that his pain giving eco-

We are now told for example that even “Subsidy” for electricity consump on is unacceptable. This is an ill advice posi on to take in a country with a world largest populaon of poor people. The IMF

“Nigeria must face it economic crisis by focusing on production and involving in export oriented economy to contain the currency crisis. They will have to be devolution of fiscal instrument to the states within the spirit of a genuine federalism” opportunis cally disregards the one billion dollars a day subsidy of food prices in the European Union (EU) through Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This country does not have buffers and the social cohesion to contain the fall out of ill advised Washington consensus policies. This is why they would take seriously before forebodings of eminent patriots like the Emir of Kano, Emir of Sokoto and civil society.

nomic policies are the best to better their lives and he would not change them even when the adverse effects and popular outcry against the policies have shown the u er failure of the policies. In a democracy, feedback from the ci zens to any government policy is essen al that leaders cannot and should not ignore.

Prof. Lambo, the late renowned psychiatrist was right when he suggested that poli cal office holders in Nigeria should be subjected to mental illness test regularly.

•By Adeola Soetan

The Discourse

Nigeria must face it economic crisis by focusing on produc on and involving in export oriented economy to contain the currency crisis. They will have to be devoluon of fiscal instrument to the states within the spirit of a genuine federalism. We have seen this work in India which is now the 5th largest economy in the world and Brazil which worth 7th largest economy in the world. We should look at their model of success and stop Aping a discredited structural adjustment program in a guise!

Dealing With The High Cost Of Living

By Ibrahim Mustapha

SIR: The recent protest in some parts of Niger, Kano and Osun states over the rising cost of living did not come to many Nigerians as surprise. Many saw it coming. There were disturbing signs which emerged in the last two years on the likely rise on the cost of living in the country.

For instance, the food and Agricultural Organiza on (FAO) and other organiza ons had predicted looming hunger in the country. Despite these warnings, our policy makers failed to roll out adequate measures to address the situa on. While the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 had disrupted the economy of many countries of the world including Nigeria, it did not teach any lesson to our leaders. The post covid-19 era witnessed corrup on and the mismanagement of public funds. Many interven on programs parcularly in agriculture sector geared towards food security were marred by corrup on.

Un l the emergence of the Bola Tinubu administra on and the suspension of the chief execu ve officer of Nigeria Incen ve-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), a subsidiary of Central Bank of Nigeria, li le was known on how funds meant for interven on were looted. Same with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, whose former minister, Sadiya Umar Faruk, was alleged to have diverted funds meant for allevia ng poverty in the country.

“Government at all levels should quickly come up with living wage for their workers. The current package (wage) is pitiable and hardly meets up the demand of majority workers amidst galloping inflation in the country”

There are other contributory factors to the current infla on and cost of living crisis. These include the devalua on of naira, worsening insecurity in farming communi es; increase in the cost of produc on; fuel price increase; corrup on; hoarding; high taxes; high exchange rate etc. These factors have contributed greatly to the current food crises in the country.

There is the urgent need for government to address the underlying causes of cost of living and come up with short, medium and long term plans to address it. While the release of 102,000 metric tons of assorted grains as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may provide temporary relief to many if judiciously channelled, the high rate of infla on calls for more urgent ac ons.

While the rise of cost of living is a global phenomenon, the three levels of governmentfederal, states and local governments-need to sit up, re-stategise and roll out more intervenon programs targe ng the larger popula on.

The removal of subsidy has led to increase in revenues available for distribu on in the country. We see evidence of this in the high revenues being shared by FAAC monthly. It is quite unfortunate that state governors are doing little or nothing to bring succour to the suffering people in spite receiving billions of naira from the federa on account. Many states governors, sadly, failed to evolve adequate measures to

share the first tranche of pallia ve released to them by the federal government last year.

Government at all levels should quickly come up with living wage for their workers. The current package (wage) is pi able and hardly meets up the demand of majority workers amidst galloping infla on in the country. The Tinubu administra on should convene an economic summit to brainstorm on how to navigate the current economic turbulence. These experts should also help us with comprehensive blueprint for growth. Time for Nigeria to embrace home-grown economic policies as the prescrip ons of the Bre on Wood ins tu ons have failed to take our economy out of the woods. The Structural Adjustment Policies (SAP) implemented by Babangida military government in the early 80’s is evidence of how our once-flourishing economy was ruined through shoddy priva za on, currency devaluaon and corrup on. If SAP with all its beau ful sing-song in the 80’s could not take the country to nirvana, the Bre on wood policies will not change anything in our democra c se ng.

osundefenderbank@gmail.com

All correspondence to the above email addresses.

•Ibrahim Mustapha, Pam- begua, Kaduna State

Oyetola’s Followers, APC Chieftains Join Omoluabi Caucus

Ismaeel Uthman

THE Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, has lost hundreds of his followers who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State to the Omoluabi caucus of the party.

Led by a former State Treasurer of the APC and immediate-past Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Segun Olanibi, the APC members moved to the Omoluabi caucus yesterday at Iperindo, Atakunmosa East local government of the state.

Speaking at the event yesterday, Olanibi who is a former Chairman of the local government, disclosed that the Oyetola led IleriOluwa group mismanaged the party and was not ready to amend its way.

Olanibi said he led other members of the party to support Oyetola on the instruc on of Aregbesola from 2018 ll the me he decided to withdraw from his tendency.

The APC chie ain emphasized the need to reconcile the party members ahead of the future elecons, saying that the current administrators of the

APC could not take it to the promised land with their attude.

Leading their individual’s clusters to join Omoluabi caucus are former Chairman of Atakunmosa East Local Council Development Area, Iwara, Hon. Busuyi Makanjuola, former Secretary to the LCDA, Hon. Kola Omoniyi, former member of Local Government Educa on Authority, Iperindo, Chief Gbenga Oladunjoye and former Councillor of Ward 3, Hon. Bimbola Ogungbe.

Others are former Vice Chairman, Atakunmosa East local government, Iperindo, Hon. Asiwaju Rasaq Oyelami, former Majority Leader of the local government, Hon. Bowofolu Babawale, Asiwaju Rasaq Oyelami and former Leader of the House Atakunmosa East Local government, Hon. Busoye Onigbogi.

The new members of the Omoluabi Caucus were received by former Chairman of the party, Rev. Adelowo Adebiyi, former

Vice Chairman of the party, Alh. Azeez Adesiji and former Comm. for Works and Transports, Engr. Kazeem Salami.

Speaking on their behalf, a former Vice Chairman and Secretary of Atakumosa East Local Government of the state, Hon. Rasaq Oyelami, cited undemocra c conduct and prac ce, selfishness, promo on of individual’s interest above party interest and arrogance, among others as reasons for leav-

ing the group.

Oyelami stated that they had to stay this long in IleriOluwa for poli cal reasons bothering on the need to exhaust all means of having reconcilia on of differences within different causes in the party which has been to no avail.

He noted that there is no indica on that the APC will achieve the ul mate aim of a poli cal party going by the current way it is opera ng, saying the party has experienced disastrous

Economic Hardship: Stop Giving Palliatives To Governors - Osun CSOs Tell Tinubu

TIsmaeel Uthman Bank are behind he subsidy removal and devalua on of naira. These two policies that President Tinubu adopted has brought hardship and starva on to the

HE Osun Civil Sociees Coali on (OCSC) has asked President Bola Tinubu to stop giving out billions of naira to state governors to provide pallia ves for the ci zens.

According to the coalion, the increased allocaon to the state has not brought any succour to the suffering masses, asking the President to chart a be er cause that will stem the de of the economic hardship.

Addressing the leadership of various civil society organisaions in Osogbo yesterday, the Chairman of the OCSC, Comr. Waheed Lawal, urged members of the public to get ready for a mass ac on that will commence on Monday.

Lawal who led other civil society persons from Nelson Mandela Freedom Park to Olaiya junc on to create awareness for next week’s mass ac on, said the IMF and the World Bank’s economic ideas of President Tinubu has brought nothing but hardship to Nigerians.

Lawal said, “President Bola Tinubu must look beyond giving millions of naira as pallia ves to governors to addressing their hungry subjects but rather find a las ng solu on to the sufferings of Nigerians.

“The IMF and World

people. We don’t want it again.

“This is to create awareness for next week mass ac on which is going to be na onwide. We are

Adeleke Set To Recover Vehicles Carted Away By Officials In Oyetola’s Administration

THE Osun state government has inaugurated a special task force for the recovery of government project vehicles/assets carted away by the officials of the immediate past administra on.

The inaugura on of the commi ee followed the release of a white paper on the report of Asset Recovery Commi ee set up by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Yusuf Oketola Chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, the committee was inaugurated on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 with the mandate to “ensure immediate recovery of government project vehicles/assets carted away by the officials of the immediate past administra on.

Names of the Commi ee members were revealed in a statement by the state government on Monday, February 19, 2024.

The Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina, while inaugura ng the commi ee on behalf of the Governor, charged the panel to implement the report of Asset recovery Commi ee and retrieve all the state government assets discovered to have been carted away.

encouraging the people to join us in this struggle.”

The Director of the OlaOni Centre, Comr. Wale Adebisi, emphasised that

the protest awareness in Osogbo signals a precursor to the na onwide protests scheduled for February 27 and 28.

electoral ou ngs in the last round of elec ons and has not shown the readiness to act differently from what made it to fall.

Oyelami stressed further: “The exhibi on of undemocra c norms, deceit, mutual exclusion of members with regular overriding opinions of the few electorally ineffecve leaders of ilerioluwa, arrogance and gangsters behaviour, selflessness, etc which are alien to the essence of progressives poli cs make it essen al to decamp without delay.

“Our outcry to the Ilerioluwa caucus leading the APC for a change of tac cs, especially ge ng Ogbeni and Oyetola reconciled was always seen as disloyalty and an -party ac vity. So, for us, we are be er off to be with the caucus that we share mutual understanding of poli cs, governance and democra c norms, hence our home going.”

Speaking at the event, a former State Chairman of the APC, Rev. Lowo Adebiyi, welcomed the APC members to the Omoluabi caucus, saying they have taken a correct step by reuni ng themselves with core progressive tendency.

Adebiyi declared that Omoluabi is a caucus within the APC and not a facon, maintaining that the group is open to every reasonable members of the society.

Residents Alert Osun Govt On Improper Disposal Of Waste In Drainages

SAnthony Faji

OME residents of Baruwa, Olosan and Onward in Ogo-Oluwa area of Gbongan/Ibadan road, Osogbo, Osun State, have called on the state government to urgently address the indiscriminate disposal of refuse on drainages and waterways in the areas.

The residents who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday lamented the harmful nature of the situaon, calling on the relevant authori es to act fast so as not to further endanger the lives of the people.

A resident of Olosan area, Mr. Bayo Lawal, said the incident which has been prevalent in the last few months is capable of resul ng in communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Lawal stressed the need for the Ministry of Environment to wade in to forestall a breakout of diseases.

Also, a businesswoman, Mrs Esther Afolabi, noted that the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in

the drainage could lead to flood in the state capital.

Afolabi stressed further that if the drainages are clean, it would make for an easy and free flow of water, especially, as the rainy season is fast approaching.

She suggested a disciplinary commi ee for proper monitoring and discipline of people who fail to abide

by the code of conduct in keeping the environment healthy for the occupants in the area to avoid subsequent occurrences.

The duo called for more efforts by the government to ensure adequate sensisa on for members of the public on personal safety, and being agents of social growth and progress.

•Some of the Minister’s loyalists who moved to the Omoluabi Caucus

A New Wave To Fact-Checking And Curbing

Sodiq Yusuf

IN elementary mass communica on, news is anything new. In broader terms, news is an account of an event that is of significance to a par cular number of people, at a par cular place, and at a par cular me. It is an undeniable fact that we live in a world where equitable and easy access to informa on, especially with the advent of social media, is non-nego able. This is a result of the fact that the informa on people get is pivotal to shaping their lives and that of the people around them.

Understanding this fact and exploring the world of Informa on and Communica on Technology that has made every user of the internet accidental journalists and informa on purveyors, it is of great importance to get the truth out of everything shared to curb misinforma on, disinforma on, and propaganda.

There is also a new trend in this narra ve known as informa on disorder. It simply implies a piece of informa on that is tweaked/distorted to arouse a level of understanding, lt to a level of bias and sen ment. These cri cal issues and more formed the theme of a two-day intensive workshop on Capacity Building on Comba ng Informa on Disorder in Democra c Governance Reporting Using Fact-Checking and FOI Tools organised by the Interna onal Press Centre, Lagos, as part of ac vi es under Component 4 (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democra c Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN II) project, held at the Royal Birds Hotel, Akure, on February 14 and 15, 2024.

The workshop that gathered 41 journalists (new/ mid-level journalists, community journalists, freelance journalists, etc.) from different media organisa ons across the South-West, including Sodiq Yusuf of OSUN DEFENDER, was an avenue to strengthen the media for fair, accurate, ethical, and inclusive repor ng of the electoral processes and elec ons and par cularly seeks to combat informa on disorder/fake news in democra c governance repor ng using fact-checking and FOI tools.

Leading the discourse on Fact-Checking and Curbing Informa on Disorder, the Execu ve Director of the

Interna onal Press Centre (IPC), Mr. Lanre Arogundade, urged journalists to eliminate their biases to ensure credibility and accuracy in their repor ng of events.

Arogundade noted that like every other individual with a picture in their head, journalists have the mandate to properly inform their audience by cross-checking facts, properly situa ng the contexts, and providing clarity to protect the na on’s democracy.

He said that with the prevailing situa on of fake news, journalists have an essen al role to play in safeguarding the country, and demanding accountability from elected officials by adequately fact-checking claims and seeing to the implementa on of their campaign promises.

His words” “This training is to ensure that journalists report elec ons and electoral processes factually, and accurately and to ensure that we fact-check the necessary informa on. A er elec ons, we need to hold our leaders accountable, so we need to look at their campaign promises and assess their state of implementaon, not just from the view of the government but from the view of the people, by verifying claims and facts.

“We believe that by doing that, we can help our people solve some of their problems, which is called soluon-driven journalism. Our duty as journalists is to ensure we keep leaders accountable for their promises.”

FOLLOWING Nigeria’s African Cup of Na ons exploits at its 34th edi on in Ivory Coast, the Osun State Government has been urged to honour Super Eagles defender, Semi Ajayi (MON) and Goalkeeper Trainer, Olatunji Baruwa (MON).

The Osun State born duo helped Nigeria to claim the silver medal a er losing 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast in the AFCON final at the Alassane Oua ara Stadium in Abidjan, on February 11, 2024.

The Chairman, Osun State Football Associa on, Sola Fanawopo, made the appeal to Governor Ademola Adeleke in a statement on Monday.

Fanawopo said: “Congratula ons to both Ajayi and Baruwa for making Nigerians and indeed indigenes of Osun State proud, and not forge ng the state community (Ejigbo) in Abidjan.

“Amazing for the duo who also received na onal awards (Member of the Order of Niger- MON) from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, plus other goodies.

“The Osun State football family is calling on our Governor to extend its kind gesture by celebra ng both Ajayi and Baruwa.

“Ajayi was rock-solid, partnering Troost-Ekong in Nigeria’s defence and scored a superb goal against Cameroon, which ended up been ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

That effort galvanized the team and at the end the Super Eagles brushed aside the Indomitable Lions 2-0.

“Also, as Nigerians celebrated Stanley Nwabali, who was arguably one of Super Eagles best players enroute the final, credit must go to his trainer, Baruwa whose daily goalkeeping rou ne with him (Nwabali), had the Chippa United shot stopper bring out his best during Super Eagles matches with good composure and breath-tak-

Kazeem Badmus

OPERATIVES of the Osun State Police Command have arrested a middle-aged Beninois labourer for allegedly assaul ng a 70-year-old widow, simply iden fied as Mrs Adunni, in the Iwoye Ijesa community of the state.

The suspect is being quizzed for allegedly a empting to rape the old woman who claimed to be a tradional tle holder in the community.

According to the vic m, the suspect a empted to rape her last week Tuesday while she was returning from her farm.

She however said God helped her to resist the move.

Narra ng the incident, the widow said: “While on my way,

Corrobora ng him, another facilitator at the workshop, Mr. Mar ns Oloja, who is the Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Newspaper, emphasised the essence of research in informa on gathering and dissemina on, describing it as the bedrock of responsible journalism.

Mr. Oloja, who took the par cipants through the rudiments of the FOI Act, 2011 and its usage, opined that it is high me journalists focused on human interest stories and developmental-oriented issues that will make the government urgently address the issues plaguing the country.

He was also of the opinion that journalists should avoid an unhealthy rela onship with the people in power, as it will further expose them to a ack and censorship.

Declaring the workshop open, the IPC Programme Manager, Melody Akinjiyan, said the event, themed; “Credible Elec ons & Democra c Governance,” aimed to equip journalists with the necessary tools, skills, and knowledge to explore the complexi es of the digital age responsibly and ethically, and ensuring transparency of the electoral system.

She said: “We are confronted with the daun ng challenge of comba ng misinforma on, disinforma on, and propaganda. This training therefore serves as a beacon of hope, illumina ng the path towards a more informed, vigilant, and resilient media landscape.”

Par cipants were provided manuals on elec on reportage, the FOI Act, and Fact-Checking tools - Invid, TinEye, and GoogleReverseImageSearch, among others.

The workshop, according to the organisers, is the first in a series of engagements with the media, especially in the areas of Inves ga ve Journalism, Fact-Checking, Elimina ng Fake News, and other novel ideas in the world of informa on dissemina on, and will con nue with the monitoring of the par cipants’ ac vi es before the next physical engagement.

Highlight of the event was the signing up to the IPC Fact-Checking Fellowship and Informa on Disorder Comba ng Team.

ing saves, which kept fans on the edge of their seats at the stadium, viewing centers and living rooms.

“Baruwa’s hal ime pep talks with Nwabali, spurred him to win the Man of the Match award in Nigeria’s victory over South Africa in the semi-final of the AFCON a er saving two penal es to send the Super Eagles into the final.

“Just as Governor Adeleke celebrated Super Falcons’ duo of Rasheedat Ajibade and Rofiat Imuran,

a young man from Cotonou, Benin Republic working as a labourer on a farm for someone in our community waylaid me and assaulted me.

“I observed someone was running behind me but I never thought he was running to catch up with me. I also ran a bit, but I fell along the way. It was when I fell that he tried

a er Nigeria’s brilliant outing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and D’Tigress star Olawuyi Adenike Olayemi for making Nigeria proud as part of the team that won the 2023 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket tle, we at the Osun FA are appealing to His Excellency to honour the Super Eagles duo.

“The Osun FA is also appealing to the State Deputy Governor-cum-Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Kola Adewu-

to force himself on me. I resisted him. We struggled for some minutes. He bit me on several parts of my body.

“I am presently at a hospital receiving treatment. I want jus ce. I am a 70-yearold widow. He a empted to rape me. Police have arrested him.”

The Osun Police Command

OJO ABIODUN ELIZABETH That

si, to use his good office to persuade Governor Adeleke in this regard.”

Public Rela ons Officer, Yemisi Opalola, while confirming the incident, said that the alleged perpetrator of the act has been apprehended and presently now being quizzed by the command. Opalola, who assured that the police will surely get to the root of the ma er, said that jusce will prevail at the end of the day.

MAKANJUOLA RUKAYAT ANUOLUWAPO OGUNBIYI OMOLARA OLUWASEUN

•Baruwa with Super Eagles goalkeeper, Nwabali

•Ajayi

Yusuf Oketola

• A cross-section of participants at the workshop

Land Tussle: Nigeria Army Appeals Judgment On 3,646 Acres Of Osun Land

Ismaeel Uthman

THE Nigerian Army has appealed the judgment ordering it to relinquish possession of 3,646 acres of land located between the Kelebe area and Omu Stream in Osogbo/Olorunda Local Government Areas of Osun State.

An Osun State High Court, si ng in Ile-Ife, had on January 10, 2023, declared the acquisi on of the land by the army as uncons tu onal and illegal.

The plain ffs, Amodu Akanbi, Sulaiman Folorunsho, Ibraheem Olabode, Rasaki Tiamiyu, and Yekini Salawu on behalf of the Kelebe-Omu land owners’ families had dragged the A orney General of the Federaon, Minister of Defence, Post-Service Housing Development Limited, the Nigeria Army, and the Chief of Army Staff to court for alleged forceful takeover of their land.

In the suit marked: HOS/40/2020, the plainffs argued that the land acquisi on was ‘incomplete and inconclusive’ since the owners received

no no ce of inten on to acquire the land.

Jus ce A. O Ayoola of the court ordered the Nigerian Army to relinquish the land and awarded N200m against the defendants as damages for the destruc on of the land.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, the Director, Army Public Re-

la ons, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the service has filed an appeal to overturn the High Court decision at the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal.

Onyema maintained that following the appeal, all par es are advised to maintain the status quo ll the appellate court delivers its verdict on the ma er.

The statement partly read, “Suffice it to say therefore, that the Nigerian Army has taken cognisance of the judgment of the High Court of Jus ce of Osun State in the case of Chief Amodu Akanbi Suleiman Folorunsho & Others V. A orney General of the Federa on & Others.

“The Nigerian Army has ini ated an appeal

Adverts

PUBLIC NOTICE

IFE NORTH WEST LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREA, EDUNABON PUBLIC NOTICE

REVOCATION ORDER! REVOCATION ORDER!! REVOCATION ORDER!!!

IT has come to the notice of the Management of Ife North West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Edunabon, Osun State that some occupiers of the plots of land at the Residential Scheme of the Local Government situated at Tonkere Road, Edunabon, Ife North West L.C.D.A., Osun State, have left them undeveloped for a good number of years and thereby constituting nuisance to residents of their immediate environment.

We hereby implore the affected occupiers to make a proper usage of the said lands within 30 DAYS of making this publication, failure of which the Local Government will enforce the Revocation Order on the said plots of land after the expiration of this notice.

ANNOUNCER:

HON BABAWALE TOPE LAWRENCE. Chairman

Ife North West L.C.D.A. Edunabon

Osun State

rule of law and respect for the rights of the cizenry, the Nigerian Army will unabatedly con nue to be a law-abiding instu on and at all mes, pursue the fulfillment of its obliga ons under the law.”

Onyema stated that portraying the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and his office as the main figure in the land dispute was wrong, adding that the land tussle existed before his appointment.

against the decision of the lower court at the Court of Appeal, Akure.

“It is trite that the filing of an appeal against a court decision operates as a stay of execu on of that court decision. Thus, it is only advisable that all par es maintain the status quo un l the resoluon of the appeal.

“As an ins tu on commi ed to upholding the

“The a empt therefore, to wrongly portray the person and Office of the Chief of Army Staff as the protagonist behind the land tussle in the media and the eyes of the public, just to draw a enon to the said High Court judgment and present it as a current issue being implemented or driven by the COAS, is simply a clear act of mischief that will serve no useful mediatory purpose, but only to denigrate the hardearned excellent reputa on and integrity of a detribalised, selfless and patrio c Chief of Army Staff, ” the statement added.

•Members of the Osun Civil Societies Coalition during an awareness for a mass protest scheduled to hold from next week in Osogbo, yesterday

Photo: Shola Aderinto

Timileyin Balogun

NO fewer than

700 pensioners enrolled under the Osun State Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA) benefi ed from a free surgery organised in collabora on with the Rotary Club of Osogbo GRA, Ilorin and Eclubone USA.

The programme began with the screening of pa ents last week before the surgery commenced on Tuesday.

Flagging off the programme at the State Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, Governor Ademola Adeleke restated his administraon’s commitment to provide ci zens of the state with qualita ve healthcare.

Adeleke said since the enrolment of over 23,000 pensioners in the State health insurance scheme kickstarted earlier this month, the project has yielded posi ve feedback from the senior ci zens.

Assuring the senior ci zens of the upgrade of their welfare, the Governor also reiterated his desire to eliminate the ‘JAPA Syndrome’ of medical prac oners from the state.

He said: “Our government has been innova ng on all fronts, issuing out programmes

•Adeleke Pledges To End Japa Syndrome

•Governor Adeleke acknowledging doctors during the official flag- off of a free surgery and medical care for pensioners in Osun State, organised by the Osun State Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA), in conjunction with the Rotary Club International, at the State Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, on Tuesday

and policies to ease the burden of our people.

“In fulfillment of our

campaign promises to bring good health services to our people, we have not only stepped up our healthcare facili es in terms of equip-

ment and personnel, we have also brought on board programmes

Shortage Of Teachers A Big Challenge To Teaching Profession In Osun - NUT

•Calls For CBT In Ongoing Teachers Recruitment

Yusuf Oketola

OSUN State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has described the shortage of teachers in public schools as a big challenge to the teaching

communi es.

profession in the state.

This was as the union called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to ensure that the teachers to be recruited undergo a Computer Based Test (CBT) with a view to employing

Community Cries Out Over Poor Road Condition

Islamiat Makanjuola Akintunde Madamidola

RESIDENTS of Kobongbogboe area of Osogbo have appealed to the state government to fix their deplorable road.

The residents, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER in separate interviews on Tuesday, said the road which linked Kobo to other communi es has been in a bad state for years.

According to the residents, the road links communi es like Aratunmi, Idi Osan, Abidogun, Kelebe, and Iragbiji, among others.

They noted that the deplorable road has not only led to hardship for the users but also caused accidents with some vic ms sustaining life-threatening injuries.

Speaking with the medium, a resident of the area who iden fied herself as Omowunmi Owolade, said motorists and motorcycle riders had to take a longer route to link other

She Said; “A lot of accidents have been recorded on the road; I have had accident twice on this same road. We have been calling government a en on to it for over six years but nothing has been done. It Is ge ng worse every year due to flood and erosion.

“The community has tried a lot, we have contributed to patch the road. But the heavy rainfall keeps destroying it.”

Another resident who gave her name as Mrs Suliyat Oyebamiji, noted that the road has been

in a poor state for almost seven years, adding that it became completely inaccessible for vehicles four years ago.

He said: “We recognized the ac vi es of our community leaders, they tried their best to repair the road. But the task and cost are more than what the community at large can do on their own and the government agencies have visited the road almost 10 mes. Several mee ngs have been done, even they were here last year December, and nothing is yet to be done.”

ICT compliant candidates.

The NUT commended Adeleke for the approval of 5,000 teachers and 250 educa on officers to be recruited into the teaching profession in the state.

A statement jointly signed by the state Chairman and Secretary of the union, Comrades Fatade Olatoke and Akin Ade-Ojo respec vely, Tuesday, described the recruitment as ‘ mely and well-intenoned’ to fill the “manyyear vacancies in the teaching profession.”

The union reiterated that the ongoing recruitment, no doubt, will go a long way in improving the learning capacity of pupils and students of both public primary and secondary schools in the state.

The statement reads: “As a union, we call on the Adeleke-led administra on to also make the teachers who will be eventually shortlisted to undergo a Computer Based Test (CBT) to further guarantee that those to be eventually engaged are ICT compliant in line with the best global pracces in the teaching profession.

“It is incontrover ble to state that our over three decades old state, Osun, needs well-trained and qualified teachers to

for ci zens to enjoy free healthcare services.

“Recently, we gave the direc ve to enroll all pensioners in the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) FREE OF CHARGE, the first of its kind in this country. I am happy to tell you that the 23,000 pensioners in the state have started receiving free healthcare services throughout the state from 1st February this year. OHIS has reported to me the smooth take off and posi ve response of these pensioners.

“We know there are s ll demands but let me assure you that our government is concerned about your welfare and will do the needful to eliminate “JAPA syndrome” in Osun State.”

shore up the wide lacuna brought about by the shortage of teachers in the state over the years.

“No doubt, the en re good people of this state including, teachers, students, and parents in par cular, will never forget in a hurry, the ceaseless efforts made and s ll being made by Ademola Adeleke led government, to right the many wrongs that hitherto enveloped the educa on sector.

“As a way of recall, over the years, shortage of teachers has been one of the banes of the teaching profession in this state, which has had nega ve consequences, not only on our children in both public primary and secondary schools but educa on sector generally in the state.

“To this end, as a union, we wish to implore the state government, to allow the hiring processes currently going online to be strictly merit-driven by making sure that it is completely free of any poli cal bias or nepo sc tendency of any kind.

“Without any iota of equivoca on, the NUT, which is the umbrella of all teachers in Osun state and Nigeria as a whole, is commi ed and alive to the ideals of ge ng ongoing recruitment drive into the teaching profession achieve the desired goals and objecves in Osun state,” the union said.

In his address at the event, the Execu ve Secretary, Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA), Dr. Rasaq Akindele appealed to well meaning individuals to enroll less privileged in the scheme.

Akindele explained that although the projec on was 300, over 700 pensioners with varying needs were attended to.

“We have collaboraon with Rotary interna onal that is hosted by Rotary club of Osogbo GRA, and because they have similar goals as our Governor, we collaborated that we are going to provide free surgical services and medical services for pensioners in Osun State.

“We intended to a end to about 300 people but we have answered over 700 people and they are not going to pay a dime for this.

“I want to plead with people that are well to do in the state that instead of spending money on frivolous things, let us take que from what the Governor is doing, let us try and enroll people into this scheme.”

Representa ves of the Rotary Interna onal Club Osogbo GRA, Ilorin and Eclubone (U.S.A.) expressed their readiness to further spread the ini ave aimed at touching lives and facilita ng the required medical need for the elderly in the society.

AS a teenager, I harboured many aspira ons. Among them, by the age of 30, I aimed to own a personal house, car, and be married. I successfully achieved two out of the three. At 30, I purchased my first car. Whether this milestone cons tutes an achievement remains debatable. While a significant percentage of youths in their thir es have already completed their houses and acquired second or third cars, millions s ll struggle to secure employment, let alone buy a car. Thus, I found myself among the fortunate “lazy Nigerian youths.”

My first vehicle was a Toyota Camry – affec onately called the “Pencil” – painted in a vibrant green hue reminiscent of the Nigerian flag. To further emphasize this patrio c connec on, I added a white stripe down the middle, crea ng a visual representa on of “green-white-green.” Prior to owning this car, my driving experience was limited to theore cal knowledge of basic vehicle func ons. However, the camry became my prac cal driving instructor. Despite enduring a fair share of bumps and scrapes, it soldiered on reliably. Truly, a rugged companion!

Yet, my true trial by fire occurred during a rou ne trip from Lagos to Osogbo. As the car’s temperature gauge climbed, I sensed trouble. My novice friend, seated in the front passenger seat, no ced steam emana ng from the hood. He advised us to pull over and inves gate. Upon li ing the bonnet, we were met with an overheated radiator. In a moment of ill-advised bravery, my friend a empted to remove the radiator cap, only to be met with an explosive burst of steam. After soothing his singed face, I resorted to pouring a bo le of table water into the radiator, sealing it, and resum-

PANORAMA

By SEUN ABOSEDE

Recalibration

ing our journey. Alas, within minutes, the car spu ered to a complete stop. It dawned on me painfully that when faced with an overhea ng engine, one must promptly switch off the igni on, allow the engine to cool, and seek assistance. Ignoring this protocol leads to engine failure – a lesson etched into my memory.

In retrospect, that Toyota Camry taught me more than just driving skills; it impacted valuable life lessons. And so, with gra tude for its resilience, I bid farewell to my trusty green companion, forever mindful of the importance of recalibra ng our expecta ons and learning from our missteps.

Nigeria currently stands at a cri cal juncture. The “EMILOKAN” spirit alone cannot mend the fractures plaguing our na on. Aspiring to occupy the presiden al seat, while a lifelong ambi on for many, does not inherently equip one with the exper se needed to govern effec vely. Grace may elevate an individual, but sustained effort and prac cal knowledge are essen al for maintaining that eleva on. As the

“Mr President, you need to recalibrate. You must desist from your adherence to World Bank and IMF neo-liberal prescriptions of making only the masses sacrifice for the economy to improve because that is exactly what you are doing by removing the fuel subsidy and putting the money into the hands of few Government officials at the Federal and the state levels whereas none of you buy fuel into your official vehicles or pay house rent.”

Yoruba adage wisely states, “Ge ng married is easy;

The current scorecard presented by the administra on is disheartening. Kidnappings have reached alarming levels na onwide, infla on has surged beyond 29.9%, and the Naira connues its precipitous decline, crossing the N1,700-to-a-dollar threshold. Food insecurity persists, violence pervades our communi es, and government policies lack coherence. Unemployment rates have soared, and the poverty index has hit record highs, all while a pervasive sense of disorder prevails.

The policies implemented by the federal government have further eroded the middle class, pushing many below the $1-per-day threshold. Although my residen al area is colloquially referred to as an “Estate,” it lacks the opulence typically associated with such enclaves. Our local market witnesses housewives flaun ng their cars, a stark contrast to the prices prevailing at Oja Oba and other tradi onal markets. Recently, I encountered a lady from our neighborhood who habitually displays her BENZ. However, during a chance encounter with my wife at Oja Oba market, she arrived inconspicuously, eschewing her luxury car. This disparity exemplifies how the gap between the affluent and the less fortunate widens, perpetuated by figures like Tinubu.

In Lagos, according to firsthand accounts, securing a decent flat in Yaba now demands a he y sum – not less than N5m. The exodus from the Island to the Mainland has driven this surge in demand. Meanwhile, the cost of living is on the upward rise, with essen als like a bag of rice now priced

at N73,000, subject to hourly fluctuaons.

As we navigate these tumultuous mes, recalibra ng our expecta ons and addressing systemic dispari es becomes impera ve. Only through concerted efforts can we bridge the chasm between prosperity and hardship, ensuring a more equitable future for all Nigerians.

A friend narrated how helpless she was at the fish market. She had paid for the first full pack of fish she was to resell at her shop. By the me she got to her car, the need to get another bag of fish arose. By the me she got back to the fish store, the price had changed.

Mr President, you need to recalibrate. You must desist from your adherence to World Bank and IMF neoliberal prescrip ons of making only the masses sacrifice for the economy to improve because that is exactly what you are doing by removing the fuel subsidy and pu ng the money into the hands of few Government officials at the Federal and the state levels whereas none of you buy fuel into your official vehicles or pay house rent.

I failed to recalibrate when my precious Pencil Camry overheated years ago and paid dearly for it. President Tinubu, what Nigeria needs now is an immediate recalibra on. Nigeria is overhea ng from pressure and confusion that is ‘breaking bones everywhere you go’. At the last count, more than eight states had protested the sheer hunger that is ravaging us in the land. Abini o, it is insecurity and high cost of living that usually stare us in the face. The current day reality is acute hunger and inflated prices of common foods almost on an hourly basis.

We have started seeing pockets of demonstra ons; the Sultan of Sokoto as well as other eminent Nigerians are speaking out; NLC and TUC are poised for a showdown as workers and poor people are finding it difficult to breathe. Even the price of beer we use to cool temper in the evening is on the increase again! But we can’t blame Nigeria and Interna onal Breweries as prices of fuel and other materials used have added to the cost of produc on. If this pathe c development is not brought to a halt on me, ‘I am sorry for all of us’, in Lagbaja, Omo Baba muko muko’s voice.

staying married is the challenge.”

•Comrade ABOSEDE OLUWASEUN “Safety” , is a Unionist, a right activist and a Social Crusader.